Starting apparatus



Oct; 18, 1932. B' UR 1,333,331

STARTING APPARATUS Fild Aug. 16. 1922 Inventor- 2 Joseph Bi ur, y

His Atibor-hey Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I JOSEPH BIJ'UR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0, ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK STARTING APPARATUS Application filed August 1 6, 1922, Serial No. 582,221. Renewed February 28, 1925 occur in all of the cylinders in proper firing order particularly in cold weather, but take place irregularly here and there among the cylinders. Such individual. explosions momentarily drive the flywheel forward after which the engine may stop altogether because the explosions have not occurred continuously in proper order. The acceleration of the wheel causesthe usual type of automatic starter to disengage its pinion from the flywheel so that when the engine comes to rest, it becomes necessary to reengage the starting motor with the flywheel thus using the battery to again accelerate the engine from rest to the speed of cranking. In cold weather this occurrence is often repeated many times before the engine fires? regularly enough to run.

invention relates to a starter which, under-the above circumstances, will not have its pinion come out of mesh from the flywheel and which, therefore, will not have to repeatedly accelerate the flywheel from rest to crankin speed. When once manually engaged, t e pinion will not disengage except under the control of the operator but it will permit the engine to run ahead by reason of its automatic clutching action. This starter will always go into proper mesh and will absorb the shock of starting the engine when full power is applied to the motor and engagement is made with a stationary engine. Although my mechanism embodies the advantages of an overrunning clutch, these are attained without the use of the usual rollers and inclined surfaces used in the construction of such clutches which may not always be sure to operate when the lubricant with which they are kept oiled gets hard as it does in cold weather.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of my invention, however, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure represents a motor provided with an embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a starting motor 1 ofthe usual type driving a shaft 2. An engine driven member or gear 3 is shown in proximity to shaft 2. This gear 3 is usually mounted on the flywheel of-the engine. A control member 4 is mounted on shaft 2 for longitudinal motion thereon, but

connected-thereto so as to rotate in unisonwith the shaft. This may be accomplished in any well known manner, and in the drawing this portion of the shaft vis squared, the control member having a square hole fitting over the squared portion of the shaft. A nut 29, with lock washer 30, prevents the control member 4 from being moved off of the shaft 2. A driving member or pinion 5 is also mounted on the shaft and is adapted to cooperate with the engine driven member. Torque transmitting means is provided be-. tween the control member 4 and the drivin member 5, including a clutch 6, a barrel T cooperating with the clutch and the driving member, and a nut 8 threaded on the control member and arranged to move to tighten the clutch when the motor 1 drives the shaft 2, as will be hereinafter explained. The nut 8 is prevented from coming off the control member 4 by means of the spring ring 27 located at the left-hand end of the threads on the control member. A spring 9 is provided within the barrel between the pinion 5 and the nut 8. The driving member 5 is mounted directly on the shaft 2 in axial alignment with the control member, and is movable longitudinally and rotatably on the is also placed between the flange10 and flange 11 and is also provided with teeth fitting be tween the teeth of pinion 5. v 'The control member has a groove 13 into which fits a spring pressed lever 14. The lever 14 is de: signed to be moved manually (either by foot or hand), and this moves the control member 4. This lever 14 is shown as having a contact plate 15 insulated from the lever and arranged to connect the stationary contacts 16 together to complete the circuit between the motor 1 and the source of current 17, when the lever is moved about its pivot 18 to move the control member 4. The control member 4 is threaded at the end away from the groove 13, and the nut 8 is mounted on these threads. A plate 8' having a cylindrical portion 8 is mounted on the nut 8. The cylindrical portion 8 is split so as to form spring fingers whereby the plate 8 is held in frictional engagement with the nut 8. The outer edge of plate 8' has projections fitting in slots in the barrel 7 and is thereby prevented from rotating with reference to the barrel. The clutch 6 comprises a plurality of cooperating elements 19 and 20, the element 20 being a driving element and connected to the barrel 7 for rotation therewith by means of projec tions fitting in the slots in the barrel. The portions of the slots in the barrel in which the projections of the plate 8' move are narrower than the portions of the slots in which the projections of the element 20 fit and thus shoulders 26 are formed against which the element 20 abuts at one .side thereby limiting its longitudinal motion in one direction. The clutch elements 19 are shown as comprising cork disks and punched metal clutch reta'iners, which are pressed into the cork disks and have slight projections 21 which enter holes in the clutch element 20. With the parts in the out-of-mesh position, shown in the drawing, the flange 22 of nut 8 is spaced away from the adjacent clutch element. In

- order to hold the clutch elements 19 loosely to each side of the driving element 20, when the parts are in the position shown in the drawing, I provide metal clips 23 which enter the elements 19 and prevent them from coming out of driving relation with the driving element 20. The barrel 7 is closed at the end away from the inion 5 by a cover 24 which is held in place y a snap ring 25. The cover 24 also engages the outer end of plate 8' and prevents it from moving longitudinally.

Normal 0peraf2'0n.The lever 14 is moved about its pivot 18 and by engagement with the groove 13 moves. the control member 4 along the squared portion of shaft 2. The control member through the nut 8 and spring 9 moves the pinion 5 into mesh with the engine driven gear 3, the barrel 7 moving with the pinion 5. 'hen the lever 14 has moved to the position where the pinion 5 and gear 3 are in full mesh, the contact 15 closes the cir that it moves backward until its flange 22 squeezes the clutch elements 19 and 20 together with sufficient force to cause the barrel 7 to rotate the pinion 5 and thus impart motion to the engine driven member 3. Power is now transmitted from the shaft 2 through control member 4 to clutch 6, to barrel 7 through clutch element 20, then from the barrel to pinion 5 and finally to engine driven member 3. It will be noted that the clutch elements are necessarily gradually pressed together, and consequently the clutch takes up the shock of starting the engine. Vhen the engine starts under its own power the en ine driven member 3 tends to drive the pinion. The motion is transmitted back through the barrel 7 to'clutch element- 20 and the friction between the plate 8 and nut 8 is sufiicient to cause the nut 8 to move with the barrel and to back off slightly from the clutch, releasing the same. Under these conditions, the engine drives the pinion 5 and clutch member 20, but the drive Will not be transmitted to the armature shaft 2, the plate 8 rotating on the nut 8. The operator can therefore take a reasonable length of time in releasing the lever 14. If the start is a false one, and the engine member 3 ceases to be propelled by the explosions in the cylinders, and the operator has not released the lever 14, the clutch will again become tightened, as explained above, and the operation of cranking will start again.

When the operator releases the lever 14, it through its spring (not shown) moves the entire mechanism to the position shown in the drawing, wherein the pinion 5 is out of mesh with gear 3 and the contacts 16 are open. If backfire occurs, the engine tends to drive the pinion 5 and barrel 7 in the opposite direction to that which the motor tends to drive these parts. No damage to the mechanism or motor will occur as under these conditions the clutch 6 will slip, permitting the pinion and barrel to rotate in the opposite direction to the motor, the shaft 2 and the parts mounted on the shaft 2. since the clutch 6 is designed to slip under a torque value greater than the stall torque of the motor, but less than the torque transmitted backwardly under backfire conditions.

Operation to enforce meslz2'ng.If, when the lever 14 is moved for the purpose of meshing pinion 5 with gear 3, the teeth of the pinforced as follows: The pinion now .being prevented from longitudinal and rotary motions, continued pressure on lever 14 moves the complete shift with the exception of pinion 5 toward the gear 3, the barrel slipping over the pinion teeth. In this way the spring 9 is compressed between the flange 10 on the pinion and the plate 8 on nut 8. Finally,

' the mechanism is moved sufliciently far toward the gear 3 so that the contacts 16 are closed and the motor is energized, rotating the shaft and control member 4. The other parts are still held stationary because of the friction between the end of the teeth of pinion 5 with the end of the teeth of gear 3, which is transmitted directly to the barrel 7 and clutch element 20 and indirectly through spring 9 to the nut 8. Control member 4 therefore screws into nut 8, causing nut 8 to tighten the clutch 6. Torque is now transmitted from the motor to shaft 2, control member 4, through clutch 6 to barrel 7, by

means of clutch element 20, thence to pinion 5, thus rotating the pinion 5. The instant the teeth of pinion 5 are turned into proper alignment with the spaces between the teeth of gear 3, compressed spring9 will expand rapidly to urge the pinion into full mesh with gear 3, after which normal operation takes place. Plate 28, acts, under these conditions, to deaden any noise due to the snapping of pinion 5 into mesh.

I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular arrangement shown and described, and aim in the appended claims to cover such modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, ashaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft forlongitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between the control member and said driving member in eluding a clutch, a barrel cooperatin with said driving member and said clutc and a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move thereon to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft.

2. In combination, an engine driven memher, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said drlving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move thereon to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft, and a spring between f said nut and said driving member.

3. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby a con trol member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, and a nut threaded on said control member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

4. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longi tudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, 95 torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said controlmember, and a spring be- 100 tween said nut and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to ti hten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

5. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft and movable longitudinally and rotatably thereon, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft, and a spring between said nut and said driving member.

6. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft and movable longitudinally and rotatably thereon, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member, and a spring between said nut and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch when after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

7. In combination, an engine driven member, av motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, said driving member being adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, and a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move on said member mounted on said shaft to tighten said clutch, and a spring between said nut and said driving member.

8. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, said driving member being adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member, and a spring between said nut and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

9. In combination. an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby. a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith, a clutch having a plurality of cooperating elements, one portion of said elements being connected to said barrel for rotation therewith, a nut threaded on said control member, and a spring between said nutand said driving member, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft.

10. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith. a clutch having a plurality of cooperating elements, one portion of said elements being connected to said barrel for rotation therewith, a nut threaded on said control member, and a spring between said nut and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

11. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, acontrol member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon butconnected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member, including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith, a clutch having a plurality of cooperating elements, one portion of said elements being connected to said barrel for rotation there with a nut threaded on said control member, and a spring between said nut and said driving member, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft.

12. In combination, an engine driven memher, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith. a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith, a clutch having a plurality of cooperating elements, one portion of said elements being connected to said barrel for rotation therewith, a nut threaded on said control member and av spring between said nut and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and-rotates said shaft.

13. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereb a control member mounted on said shaft or longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven. member, torque transmitting means between the control member and said driving member in cluding a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move thereon to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft, a plate mounted on said nut and frictionally engaging the same, said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member.

14. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted on said shaft adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member, a plate mounted on said nut and frictionally engaging the same, said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member, and means'for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

' 15. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, said driving member being adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a

nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move on said member mounted on said shaft to tighten said clutch, a plate mounted on said nut and frictionally engaging the same, said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member.

16. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, said driving member being adapted to cooperate with said engine driven member, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a clutch, a barrel cooperating with said driving member and said clutch, a nut threaded on said control member, a plate mounted on said nut and frictionally engaging the same', said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

17. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a con trol member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving mem-.

ber mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith, a clutch having a plurality of cooperating elements, one'portion ofsaid elements being connected to said barrel for rotation therewith, a nut threaded on said control member, a plate mounted on 'said nut and frictionally engaging the same, said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch when said motor drives said shaft.

18. In combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a control member mounted on said shaft for longitudinal motion thereon but connected so'as to rotate in unison therewith, a driving member mounted directly on said shaft in axial alignment with said control member and movable longitudinally and rotatably on said shaft, torque transmitting means between said control member and said driving member including a barrel connected to said driving member for rotation therewith, a

clutch having a plurality of cooperating elev ments, one portion of said elements being connected to said barrel for rotation therewith, a nut threaded on said control member, a plate mounted on said nut and frictionally engaging the same, said plate being connected to said barrel to rotate therewith, and a spring between said plate and said driving member, and means for moving said control member so as to move said driving member into engagement with said driven member and energize said motor, said nut being arranged to move on said control member to tighten said clutch after said motor is energized and rotates said shaft.

19. An engine starter drive including a r0- tatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof,

and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch and a control device cooperating with such clutch for progressively tightening it during the starting operation.

20. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, 2. driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a manually operated control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a normally overrunning clutch, and a control device for tightening said clutch during the starting operation.

21. An engine starter drive including-a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch which normally is in overrunning condition, and means energized by rotation of the control member to tighten said clutch.

22. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch and a control device for such clutch which is mounted upon such control member and which tightens the clutch during the starting operation. I

23. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, :1, driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch and a control device threaded upon the control member and cooperating with the clutch.

24. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch and a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move thereon to tighten said clutch when the shaft is r0- tated.

25. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a clutch, and a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to move thereon in one direction to tighten said clutch when the shaft is rotated and to move in the other direction to loosen said clutch when the driving member is driven by the engine member upon the starting of the engine.

26. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the en ine to be started and for rotary movement or rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, torque trans mitting means between the driving member and the control member, a device threaded on the control member for controlling the action of said means, and manually operabie means for shifting said control and driving members and said torque transmitting means longitudinally of the shaft.

27. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, yieldable oneway torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member, and manually operable means for shifting said control and driving members and said torque transmit-ting means longitudinally of the shaft.

28. An engine starter drive including arotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member comprising a screw threaded sleeve slidable on such shaft and a nut threaded on the sleeve, torque transmitting means between the driving member and the nut, and manually operable means cooperating with the sleeve for shifting the latter longitudinally.

29. An engine starter drive including a r0,- tatable shaft, adriving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including an overrunning friction clutch, and manually operable means cooperating with the control member for shifting the latter longitudinally.

30. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving. member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagement with a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a friction plate clutch whose plates encircle the control member and cooperate with a part of such control member, and a control device mounted on said control member and arranged to cooperate with such clutch and to control the action thereof.

31. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted for longitudinal movement for engagementwith a member of the engine to be started and for rotary movement for rotating such engine member, a control member mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the driving member and the control member including a friction plate clutch whose plates encircle the control member and cooperate with a part of such control member, and a nut threaded on said control member and arranged to cooperate with such clutch and to control the action thereof.

32. An engine starter drive including a. rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon and. movable longitudinally therealong for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, a manually operable con- .trol member mounted on said shaft in tandem relation with said driving member for longitudinal movement along said shaft and drivingly connected to said shaft for rotary movement therewith, and uni-directional means for transmitting torque between the control member and the driving member, said means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween in case the driving member abuts against the engine member.

33. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft having a smooth portion, a driving member loosely mounted upon such smooth portion and movable longitudinally therealong for engagement with a member of the engine to be started, a manually operable control member mounted on such shaft forlongitudinal movement therealong and drivingly connected therewith for rotary movement, and torque transmitting means between the control member and the driving member including a clutch and a device mounted upon the control member for 'controlling the action. of the clutch.

34. In an engine starter drive, a driving member, means for mounting said driving member for longitudinal movement into and out of engagement with a member of an engine to be started, an actuating device,

means for rotating said actuating device, and torque transmitting means between the actuating device and the driving member including a clutch, means for operatively con necting said clutch with the actuating device and the driving member, and means for releasing said clutch when the engine member becomes the driver, said torque transmitting means being arranged to rotate the driving member from the actuating device while allowing relative longitudinal movement therebetween. v

35. An engine starter drive including a rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon to cooperate with and drive 'a member of the engine to be started and adapted to he slid along the shaft for engagement with such enginemember, an actuating device mounted for longitudinal and rotary movement, and torque transmitting means between such actuating device. and the driving member including a clutch which is operatively connected with the actuating device members, one mounted upon the other for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and arranged to tighten and release said clutch.

36. In combination with a rotatable driv ing shaft, an engine starter drive formed as an assembly mounted for longitudinal movement and for rotary movement, such assembly comprising a driving. member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started, a control member mounted upon the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, torque transmitting means between the control member and the driving member, and manually operable means for shifting such assembly longitudinally, said torque transmitting means transmitting torque between the control member and the driving member in one direction only, and including a slidable connection adapted to transmit rotation while allowing longitudinal movement of the control member with respect to the driving mem- 3?. In combination with a rotatable driving shaft, an engine starter drive formed as an assembly mounted for longitudinal movement and for rotary movement, such assembly comprising a driving member adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started, a control member mounted upon the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, torque transmitting means between the control member and the driving member and including a normally overrunning clutch and a control device for tightening the clutch during the starting operation, and manually operable means for shifting such assembly longitudinally.

38. In combination with a rotatable drivmg shaft, an engine starter drive formed as an assembly mounted upon the shaft for manually controlled longitudinal movement thellieof and .for rotary movement therewith, suc loosely mounted upon the shaft and adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started, a control member splined upon the shaft for longitudinal sliding movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the control member and the driving member including a clutch and a control device mounted upon such control member for controlling the action of theclutch.

39. In combination with a rotatable driv- 1ng shaft, an engine starter drive formed as an asseiiibly mounted upon the shaft for manually controlled longitudinal movement thereof and for rotary movement therewith, such assembly comprising a driving member loosely mounted upon the shaft and adapted to engage a member of the engine to be started, a control member splined upon the shaft for longitudinal sliding movement assembly comprising a driving member,

thereof and for rotary movement therewith, and torque transmitting means between the control member and the driving member including a clutch and a nut threaded on the control member and arranged to control the action of the clutch.

40. Engine starter mechanism comprising in combination with an engine gear, a rotary and axially movable pinion engageablewith the engine gear for driving the latter, means for moving the pinion into mesh with the gear and for positively retracting the pinion from the engine gear, said means comprising disengageable clutch elements for rotating the pinion to drive the gear, the clutch elements being automatically disengaged when the engine starts.

41. In an engine starting system, the coin bination of a motor; a motor driven shaft; an engine gear; a pinion slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft and normally disengaged from the gear; a normally disengaged friction clutch for connecting the shaft and pinion; manually operable means for ef fecting substantial meshing of pinion and gear and for causing the motor to operate; and means for causing the clutch to connect the pinion and shaft in response to operation of the motor; and for causing the clutch to be disenga ed in response to the engine becoming sel -operative regardless of failure to release the manual means.

42. In an engine starting system, the combination of a motor; a motor driven shaft; an engine gear; a pinion slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft and normally disengaged from the gear; a friction clutch including a member connected with the pinion and a member connected with the shaft for endwise movement along the shaft and rotary movement with the shaft; and manually operable means for moving the pinion substantially into engagement with the engine gear and for causing the motor to operate, the

clutch being then disengaged; the connection between the shaft and the clutch causing the clutch to be engaged in response to operation of the motor, and to be disengaged in response to the engine becoming self-operative regardless of failure to release the manual means.

43. In an engine starting system, the combination of a motor; a motor driven shaft; an engine gear; a pinion slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft and normally disengaged from the gear; a clutch for connecting the shaft and pinion, manually operable means for moving the pinion endwise and for causing the motor to operate and the clutch to be temporarily engaged in case the teeth of the pinion collide with the teeth of the gear whereby tooth registration may be effected by the operation of the motor, the registration of the pinion permitting the clutch to be released; and means for causing the clutch to connect the pinion and shaft in response to operation of the" motor, and for causing the clutch to be dis- 45. In an engine starting system the combination of a motor; a motor driven shaft; an enginevgear; a pinion slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft and normally disengaged from the gear; a multi-plate overrunning clutch between the pinion and shaft, the

clutch having a relatively large friction surface to provide positive engagement; and manual means for moving the clutch and pinion and controlling the motor.

46. In an engine starting system, the combination of a motor, a motor driven shaft, an

engine gear, a pinion slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft and normally disengaged from the gear, a normally disengaged friction clutch for connecting the shaft and pinion, manual means operable in case of initial registration of pinion and gear for moving the pinion into substantial enmeshment with the gear and then for causing the motor to operate, said means being operable in case of initial abutment of the pinion and gear for causing the motor to operate and the clutch to be engaged tobring the pinion into registration with the gear, the manual means being incapable of affecting the action of the clutch after the pinion has been meshed with the gear, and means for causing the clutch to connect the pinion and shaft in response to operation of the motor and for causing the clutch to be disengaged in response to the engine becoming self-operative regardless of failure to release the manual v means. 47. In an engine starting system, the combination of an electric motor, a screw shaft driven thereby, an engine gear, a pinion normally disconnected therefrom, a multiplate friction type overrunning clutch between the shaft and pinion, a nut on said shaft having an integral flange portion forming'a part of the clutch, and'means for moving the pinion 'to engage the engine gear and to startthe motor.

48. In an engine starting system, the com bination of a pinion, a sleeve, an overrunning plate clutch adapted to connect the pinion and the sleeve, and manually operable means for yieldingly shifting the pinion in one direc- 49. In an engine startingsystem, the combination of a pinion, a clutch adapted to coact with the pinion, an internally threaded member having a flange forming a part of the clutch, and manually operated means for shifting said pinion into mesh with a mem ber of the engine to be started including a compression spring surrounding the threaded member and adapted to cooperate with said clutch to yieldably shift the pinion. I

50. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor,an overrunningclutch connected with the shaft for rotation therewith and sliding movement thereon, a pinion having. a splined connection with the clutch and adapted to mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, and means for moving the clutch 7 along the shaft.

51. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, an overrunning clutch connected with the shaft for rotation therewith and sliding movement thereon, a. pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of the engine to be started and connected with the clutch for rotation therewith and sliding movement relative thereto, a spring for transmitting motion from the clutch to the pinion to effect the meshing of the pinion with the engine gear, means for transmitting motion in the opposite direction from the clutch to the pinion, and means for moving the clutch and pinion.

52. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, an overrunning clutch connected with the shaft for rotation therewith and sliding movement thereon, a pinion adapted to mesh with ,a gear of the engine to be started and operatively connected with the clutch for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement with respect thereto,

and means for moving the clutch along the shaft.

53. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, an overrunning clutch connected with the shaft for rotation therewith and sliding movement thereon, a pinion actuatedby the clutch and slidable upon said'shaft'and adapted to meshwith a gear of the engine to be started, aspring located between the clutch and pinion for transmitting motion from the clutch to the inionin one direction, means 'surroundin t e spring for transmitting motion fromt e clutch to the pinion in the opposite direction, and means for moving the clutch and pinion.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set in hand this eleventh day of August, 1922.

JOSEPH BIJUR. 

